Tuesday, December 4, 2018

Florida: Horse and Boots in the Forest

Withlacoochee State Forest offers scenic and unique opportunities for a wide variety of outdoor activities such as hiking, seasonal hunting, nature photography, mountain biking, motocross and of course horseback riding.

Hernando County is home to many horse owners. There are designated areas for horseback riding within the Withlacoochee State Forest which provide more than just a healthy outlet for horses, but for the riders as well.

The Nature Coast Back Country Horsemen organization began in Montana in 1973 when four horsemen realized that public lands would need help in order to keep equestrian access open for future generations. As the years past many chapters were organized and developed to help maintain the upkeep of existing trails as well as create new ones.

Mary Lou Patton, 79, is the president of the local Nature Coast Back Country Horsemen (NCBCH) chapter...